Helmick, Eli A. (Eli Alva), 1863-1945

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Eli Alva Helmick (1863-1945) was born in Quaker Point, Indiana. His father, Hiram T. Helmick, was a farmer and a self-taught country doctor. After Helmick's parents died of malaria in the later 1870s, he attended Kansas State Agricultural College (1880-1884) and graduated from West Point in 1888.

While stationed at Fort Spokane, Washington, Helmick commanded a detachment of Indian Scouts and participated in the Wounded Knee Campaign (1890-1891). After serving guard duty at the World's Columbian Exposition (1893) he was sent to Santiago, Cuba, and became inspector of the Rural Guard (1899). Transferred to the Philippines in 1901, Helmick participated in the campaign led by Gen. John Pershing against the Moro Indians.

Helmick served at Fort Lieum, Alaska (1906-1907), and then attended School of the Line in Kansas (1907-1909). He completed his training at the Army War College and was promoted to major. From 1911 to 1914, he served in the Inspector General's office in Chicago. He commanded the 27th Infantry on border patrol in Mexico (1914) and resumed duty in the Inspector General's office in 1916. Helmick arrived in France in 1918 as commander of the 5th Division. After the war, he was appointed Inspector General, a position he held until retirement in 1927.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf The Eli and Charles Helmick papers, 1863-1950. U.S. Army Heritage & Education Center
creatorOf Eli A. Helmick Papers, 1863-1935 East Carolina University. J.Y. Joyner Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith United States. Army corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Army. Office of the Inspector General. corporateBody
associatedWith United States Military Academy. corporateBody
associatedWith Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924. person
associatedWith Wood, Leonard, 1860-1927. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Honolulu HI US
Washington City DC US
Alaska AK US
Republic of the Philippines 00 PH
Republic of France 00 FR
Mexico 00 MX
Fort Spokane WA US
Indiana IN US
Republic of Cuba 00 CU
Chicago IL US
Subject
Border security
Indian scouts
Military education
Military inspectors general
Spanish
World War, 1914-1918
World War, 1914-1918
Occupation
Soldiers
Activity

Person

Birth 1863-09-27

Death 1945-01-13

Male

Americans

English

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